Marla Martin, Communications Manager, or Jeff Zipper, Vice President of Communications
407/438-1400, ext. 2326 or 2314
Jacksonville Realtor® Is FAR’s 2006 Realtor of Year
ORLANDO, Fla., October 2006 — Russell Grooms, the 2004 president of the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) and a member of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, has been named FAR's 2006 Realtor® of the Year. The award -- one of several -- was presented at FAR's recent 90th annual Convention & Trade Expo at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Fla.
Upon accepting the award from FAR President Mike Dooley, Grooms said, "I've done a lot of thinking about leadership since my year as president. It was a humbling experience. Leadership is a huge responsibility -- it's not a chore. It's about action, and it's not about position. But what is most important to me: Leadership doesn't build character, it reveals it. I don't know what to say other than 'thank you.'"
FAR has presented both the Realtor of the Year and Associate Realtor of the Year awards for about 50 years. Winners are honored as the greatest individual lifetime contributors to their local board, community, FAR and the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Since joining his local association more than 33 years ago, Grooms has served in every leadership capacity available, including as president and multiple listing service president. He has been recognized by his local peers as "Realtor of the Year" three times -- a feat no other member has achieved. He also received the association's "Circle of Honor" award in 1998 for his many years of dedicated service to the local community, state and real estate profession. And in 2004, he received the most prestigious award given by the local association, its "Presidential Lifetime Service Award," which is not given every year.
On the state level, Grooms has been an FAR director for more than 20 years. He has served on and chaired numerous FAR committees and was FAR's District 1 Vice President in 1998. He has filled the state association's leadership posts of treasurer and president-elect. Then in 2004, Grooms became president of FAR, taking the reins during a year filled with changes and challenges: most notably, the devastation caused by four hurricanes striking Florida. He worked diligently to help members rebuild their lives and their businesses and was instrumental in re-establishing FAR's Disaster Relief Fund, which raised more than $1.3 million for recovery efforts. Grooms is the current chairman of the trustees for the Disaster Relief Fund.
Grooms' contributions to his community include volunteering with numerous civic and business organizations; however, as an avid sportsman, he is very involved with causes that support the conservation of natural resources, He is an active member of Ducks Unlimited, a group that encourages the preservation of land and water resources to provide needed habitat for duck, goose and bird populations throughout the world. Grooms also supports the Coastal Conservation Association, formerly known as the Florida Conservation Association. This organization is dedicated to the conservation and protection of the state's marine resources. And for many years, he has served in an appointed position on the Florida BAR Grievance Committee, which investigates complaints against attorneys and makes formal recommendations for appropriate action.
The Florida Association of Realtors, the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation for its more than 155,000 members in 68 local boards/associations. FAR's Media Center Web site is available at http://media.living.net.
© 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
